The dreaded day finally came.

As soon I woke up, Sophie’s excitement was very apparent, she was jittery, and her smile was so bright I swear it could be used as a power source.

“My Lady!! Today is a big day for you.” Her enthusiasm could also be heard, her already shrilly voice reached new heights putting my eardrums in danger. 

She forcibly removed the blanket from my still half-asleep body. I groaned and curled up on myself, feeling the cold air on me.

Why did they have to wake up so early in this house. Have any of these people heard about beauty sleep? It is necessary for some of us.

“Let us get you ready as soon as possible.” She continued oblivious, or rather indifferent, to my discomfort.

“Hello to you too Sophie. How are you today? Me? I’m fine thanks for asking.” My morning bad mood was oozing from each word.

“It is great to hear my Lady. You need as much energy as possible for the journey.” She ignored the biting tone in my voice, the smile on her face unflinching.

This woman really had no fear. When I compared her to Angela, who couldn’t possibly be that much younger, Sophie always looked in control. I don’t remember having seen her lose composure. Even when I resurrected, she looked more surprised than scared. What kind of training did she undergo to be so composed?

Sophie kept ignoring my complaints and Angela did the same. Not that she would show me any compassion anyway, she was convinced I was a demon. Sophie just kept smiling, looking at me like you would look at a cute whining dog. As I grew more frustrated, her smile grew sweeter. I swear this woman was a robot, programmed to show a very limited range of emotions.

I was beginning to doubt that I really was the daughter of a Duke. When I first learned who I was, I expected to be pampered and for the staff to bow they heads and tend to my every whim.

Given Corteza and Sophie’s attitude, they obviously did not get the memo.

None of them has shown me respect and deference I expected. I was pampered, sure. But apart from that, my treatment was really far from what the Hazel in the game had. She was depicted as a Lady through and through. Despite her lack of power, she still managed to hold a very central position in high society and inspire fear and respect in her peers.

I was glaring at her now. Although with my small stature and round childlike features I did not look particularly threatening, the intention was there. Sophie simply patted me on the head.

“Mornings have been hard for you in the recent weeks, but you are doing great, Lady Hazel.”

I kept pouting. Whether in my original body or another one, mornings were not made for me.

 

---

 

I was now bathed, dressed and ready to go to the Havana Temple. From what I have been told, the closest Temple was situated 3 hours away from the Vedar mansion. We‘d take a horse-drawn carriage to get there.

I was suuuper excited. I’ve never been in a carriage, ever. And the horses! They looked so majestic. I have always wanted to learn how to ride but that shit was expensive, and good luck finding a stable in the middle of the city. When I was much younger, I even thought of putting some money aside to buy my own horse but I quickly realized that I could hardly keep a horse as a pet in our apartment complex.

I felt like Cinderella after her pumpkin turned into a coach. The fancy dress, the mansion and the overall European aristocratic atmosphere. Everything was there. If not for the brutal death that potentially awaited me, this could actually be a fairy tale.

“Haze! Sit with me.” Haron came storming from behind me, grabbed my hand and dragged me inside of the carriage where the Duke was already sitting.

I greeted him like Corteza showed me, only bowing my head lightly since the confined space of the carriage didn’t allow me to perform a full curtsy: “Greetings Du- Father.” Haron echoed my salutation before sitting, swinging his feet back and forth. The Duke only responded with nod and motioned to the coachman to close the door and depart.

 

30 minutes later, my initial excitement was long forgotten. I enjoyed the coach for about 10 minutes before realizing with horror that we’d be here for several hours. The cabin was cramped and the wood we were sitting on was so hard I could almost hear my cheeks cry in pain. I was shifting from one side to the other, trying to alleviate the pain.

“Cease this disturbance.” The Duke ordered.

He was seated directly in front of me while Haron and I were on the same side of the coach.

Did this man know how to utter more than 3 words at a time? The 2 times I heard him speak, he had only given orders. 

For reason unknown, even to me, I felt exceptionally brave today, so I decided to test my luck and try to start a conversation.

“Du- I mean, Father, how will the people of the Havana Temple know that my magic has awakened?”

His gaze met mine. He stayed silent and for a moment, I thought he wasn’t going to answer.

“As your brother did last year, you will undergo 2 consecutive tests.”

I was surprised he even bothered answering my question. I have to admit that my first impression of him was not a good one. I could hardly imagine him taking the time and the energy to explain anything to his amnesic daughter, but here he was, doing exactly that.

“The first one will assess your resistance to fire-”

“I’m immune to fire?” In my excitement, I dared interrupt him. He shot me an admonishing look, prompting me to resume to my silence and let him finish.

“All fire mages have a certain degree of immunity to natural fire. As for fire created through magical means, be it with a Ftar stone or by a mage, some can have a certain resistance to those as well, depending on their amount of power.”

I wanted to ask how they would test that immunity. I had no desire to me burned alive. However, I abstain from interrupting him again.

“The Vedar blood, in particular, comes with a high resistance to most types of fire. Haron has demonstrated as much and so will you.”

He spoke with certainty, as though he had no doubt I would at least inherit that trait.

“The second and final test will verify and analyse your ability to use your magic. You will be asked to produce the biggest amount of flames you can muster.”

“In my own test, I created flames so big, they filled the whole room and almost burnt through the walls.” Haron added with a proud look on his face. “But you are weak sister, even if you do not have a lot of magic, I will protect you.”

As he said that, he took my hand in his, squeezing it tightly as though to reassure me. How cute! It’s hard to image this small harmless kid killing his whole family. I couldn’t help but put my guard down in the face of such cuteness. I’m weak, I know, but it can’t be helped.

“Such a thing is rare at such a young age. You will not be expected to do the same.”

The Duke burst my sweet bubble of cuteness. No wonder the other Hazel and Haron did not get along if their father kept comparing them in such a way.

Haron was most likely the genius Hazel could never live up to, and her father made sure to remind her of her shortcomings every once in a while. I’ve met him only 2 days ago and I was reminded twice already that I would never be as good as Haron.

I did not care much about his opinion, but I can imagine how it would affect Hazel who endured 17 years of this comparison from someone she deeply care about and sought approval from.

The Duke spent the rest of the trip in silence while I animatedly chatted with Haron. 

My butt still hurt like hell. I sincerely wished this world had magic portals or teleportation.

 

---

 

The Temple was gigantic. It was not a high building, I have seen higher cathedrals when I travelled to Europe, but it was exceptionally wide. There was a huge rectangular building on top on which peeked a glass dome. This central structure was surrounded by several other smaller buildings.

People were bustling about the court and small garden in front of the Temple. Their clothes and hair contrasted with the grey bricks of the Temple, creating an explosion of color that made the place livelier. Among the frilly dresses and fancy suits, some visitors of the Temple wore more modest clothes and others wore large heavy robes.

It was my first time outside of the mansion and into the world of Lovely Goddess. If I doubted that any of this was real before, seeing all these people really cemented the reality of this world.

As we progressed through a garden toward what I assumed was the main entrance, a man wearing a dark red garb approached us.

“Welcome to the Havana Temple Duke Vedar, may Pradma Havn bring you peace and prosperity. How may we be of help?”

“I have brought my daughter to confirm her awakening.”

He gently pushed me forward, toward the man. He looked down at me before returning his gaze back to the Duke.

“Of course your Excellency. Please follow me, we will arrange a private session for your daughter.”

He led us to a peripheral building. This side of the Temple was empty. I assume we were getting this world’s version of the VIP treatment. Being rich was great.

As we went in, we were greeted by an old man.

“Follow me your Excellency, I assume your daughter will be tested for fire magic first.”

“Indeed.”

Hazel’s father was really a man of a few words. Our conversation in the coach was the most I’ve heard him speak and it seems he was now back to his brief straight to the point replies. His face did not betray any emotion either. He was less expressive than a rock, really.

We arrive in a room in the middle of which stood 2 large stones, one shone with a bright amber coloration while the other was crimson red.

“The young Lady can place her hands on the amber stone.” The old man spoke to the Duke, indicating the stone on the far right.

Then, he turned toward me and added: 

“ Feel free to start when you are ready young Lady.” 

I hesitated. I didn’t know what to expect from it and I could hardly rely on my game knowledge to help. Lovely Goddess did not linger much on Hazel Vedar apart from her relationships with the capture targets and the heroine. I knew next to nothing about her and it made me very anxious.

The Duke seemed to think that I would have a regular amount of magic and that I would at least show abilities that the Vedar family was known for, so I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if I was truly powerless. From what I’ve learned, this society was not kind to those it considered ‘corrupted’.

My mind was running wild. I did not even realize a few seconds had passed when Haron shook me by the shoulders, bringing me back to reality.

“Are you alright Haze?” I nodded and he continued. “There is no reason to be scared, this test will not hurt you, believe me. The first stone is warm but it does not burn. The Ftar stone is hotter but you do not have to continue if it is too painful. Everything will be alright, I promise.” Haron took both of my hands in his, squeezing them reassuringly.

He proceeded to give me a few advice as would a coach to his protégé. I have to admit that it worked, I was a little less anxious. Haron and I seemed to have a good relationship and if I maintained it I could at least hope he’ll protect his beloved sister and prevent her from being thrown away. It wasn’t much but it was something, a glimmer of hope.

I took a second to look back at the Duke, expecting a disapproving look from him. I was surprised to see his trait soften and an almost-smile form on his lips, but it disappeared as soon as it had appeared, his face settling back into its expressionless mask.

It was a weird moment. If not for the gentle hand he placed on my shoulder, I would have thought I had imagined it.

I gather my courage and headed toward the amber stone. I place both hands on it and felt its warmth spread through my body. Haron was right it didn’t hurt. On the contrary, this could even be considered enjoyable.

“Remove them if the heat becomes unbearable little Lady.” I heard the old man say behind me.

What? I thought it wasn’t supposed to hurt! As soon as he finished his sentence, the warmth emanating from the stones turned into a staggering heat. Its intensity rose each second but strangely enough, it wasn’t painful, it felt like a heavy hot blanket around me.

After a few second, the old man told me to remove my hands and place them on the second stone, the red one. He repeated the same instructions he previously gave.

Its initial heat was higher than the other stone's. As the intensity increased, the heat started to become suffocating, I felt droplets of sweat rolling on the side of my face, but I powered through it.

If this was the test, I couldn’t fail it. If I had to endure a few seconds of intense heat to live a peaceful life, I would gladly keep my hands on this stone for as long as necessary.

The heat rose even higher, making my skin feel prickly, as though I had been stung by hundreds of hot needles. It was becoming harder to breathe but I wasn’t going to give up. Sweat droplets mixed with tears rolled down my face. I didn’t even realize I started crying.

How long has it been now?

I was so focused on keeping my hands stuck to the stone that I had forgotten about my surrounding, muting any sound other than my own thoughts encouraging me to keep going.

The air in my lungs was scorching hot.

It felt like the fire spreading from the stone to my body was eating me from the inside, entering through my mouth and my nostrils, seeping through every pore of my skin, settling in my lungs and my stomach, filling my whole body with fire and eating at my heart.

My eyes were slowly closing, and my consciousness was hanging on a thin thread.

I could not faint or else I would fail.

I kept repeating that mantra in my head, forcing my eyes to open wider than they needed to be just in case.

I was reaching my limits.

 

Suddenly my whole body was jerked backwards, taking my hands off the stone. Immediately, the fire left my body, allowing it to regain its normal temperature. My mind wasn’t completely back to reality but I could hear Haron’s voice calling for me.

“Haze!”

I opened my eyes and turned in the direction of the voice. He was so close but he sounded so far away. He looked panicked and tears were streaming down his cheeks.

A hand brushed along my forehead, tucking a few hair strands behind my ear. At that moment, I realized that my feet were not touching the ground, someone was holding me. As I looked up, I came face to face with the Duke’s emotionless face.

“You did well.”

He was holding me close to his chest, patting me lightly on my back. It was a comforting position but as I was coming back to my senses, I was starting to feel uneasy.

“Um… F-Father, I feel much better now. You can put me back on the ground.”

He ignored me, keeping me in his arms while he spoke to the old man.

“You have put my daughter in danger. Explain yourself.”

The old man trembled in fear, not knowing where to put himself.

“Your Excellency… I gave the little lady the instructions. She should have-“

“Are you saying it is my daughter’s fault she got hurt in your Temple?”

The Duke’s voice was dangerously low and his accusation very evident. The old man was even more fretful.

“It-It is not what I meant your Excellency. I would not dare.”

I could see that he was trying his best not to further anger the Duke. Feeling particularly gracious, or rather, not wanting his death on my conscience, I decided to try and help.

“Father, I’m the one who stubbornly kept her hands on the stone. I wanted to make you proud.”

I smiled brightly and fluttered my eyelashes, using my cute appearance to my advantage. But, of course, my attempt at flattery failed to sway this rock of a man. The Duke kept his piercing gaze on the old man who was now breaking in cold sweats.

Well, sorry dude. I tried.

“Your daughter showed excellent results your Excellency.” His attempt at changing the subject was not subtle at all, but it worked in raising the Duke’s interest. “She showed complete immunity to natural fire and despite the... unfortunate turn of events, she managed to stay in contact with this Ftar stone for over 4 minutes when even the most experienced fire mages cannot withstand more than 1 minute. This stone has been charged with enough magical fire to reduce the entirety of the Cresci Mountain to dust and ashes.”

The Duke was clearly not a patient man and judging by his deepening frown, the old man’s round about way of speaking was getting on his nerves.

“What are you trying to say old man?”

“What I am saying here is that her resistance to magical fire is exceptional, even for a member of the Vedar family. Once she finishes testing for fire, it would be wise to test her affinity to other elements as well.”

“She is but a sickly child who barely escaped the claws of death less than a moon ago. I highly doubt she is a Renascenda, if that is what you are implying.” Before the old man could protest, Duke Vedar added in a decisive tone: “Let her finish the test first. We shall talk about that after.”

Meanwhile, I was still in the Duke’s arms, the drowsiness I felt earlier was fully gone. I had no idea what ‘Renascenda’ meant but I couldn’t care less. What occupied my mind at the moment was the fact that I had successfully passed the first test. The old man had said that my resistance was ‘exceptional’.

Maybe there was hope for me. Maybe my replacing the other Hazel had changed everything, including my powers. I did not want to be more hopeful than necessary, but I couldn’t help it.

That was the problem with hope, it had a way of seeping discreetly into your mind and making you wish for more than you should.

 

---

 

The second test took place in the room right next door. The Duke finally put me down so I could walk there by myself.

“Do not push yourself too hard.”

Was he worried about me?

Before I even had the time to register what happened, he turned around and left with an uncharacteristically silent Haron on his toes. That child had been weird since the whole stone ordeal. Was he jealous that his father was carrying me?

“Lady Hazel, this is a reflective crystal. Using a drop of your blood and a little concentration on your part, it can help you conjure your magic. As soon as you prick yourself, concentrate on creating a small flame and it shall appear on the crystal. We will wait for you on the other side of this glass.”

The old man and I were the only one in the room. I looked around me, situating the crystal but also noticing the glass wall behind which stood the Duke, Haron and the mage who greeted us.

The old man was about to leave the room when he stopped, turned back to me and added:

“Remember to start small and build your fire slowly. This building is rather new.”

I guess he was scared that I would blow up the building. Well, his concerns were not unfounded, last time a Vedar was tested here, he almost burnt the whole room.

I approached the crystal. It looked like a crystal ball a fortune-teller could use, with the exception of the small needle that protruded on the top. 

I pricked myself and concentrated as hard as I could on creating a small fire. I suddenly felt a rush, like liquid energy flowing through my veins toward the crystal. I pictured a flame dancing on a candle, when the image became clear in my mind, I opened my eyes expecting to see it appear in front of me.

There was nothing.

I did not let this first failed attempt get me down. This time I pictured the biggest bonfire I could. When I opened my eyes, I was met with a translucent flame, barely the size of an adult hand.

From the other side of the glass, the old man shouted:

“Now make this flame as powerful and as big as you can.”

I tried to picture a forest fire, burning with intensity and devouring everything on its way. The translucent flame in front of me didn’t move.

It tried again, picturing the sun and concentrating intently on channeling that energy and directing it toward the ball. Still nothing. The more energy I sent, the more the flame seemed to waver. It was as though a gust of wind was constantly blowing against it.

I tried again and again and again and again with the same result. It was frustrating. The little hope I developed a few minutes ago was already gone. I was disappointed, of course, but not surprised. It’s not like I didn’t already know what to expect.

“You can create a bigger flame Lady Hazel.”

A little ashamed, for some reason, I replied:

“T-This is the best I can do.”

Confusion washed over the old man’s face. He most likely expected a lot more from me.

“This cannot be. Have you tried focusing your energy on the crystal?”

“Yes I have! And that’s the result.”

This was starting to be humiliating. How much longer did I have to stand here with this pathetic flame fluttering around like a glaring symbol of my weakness.

“Can I stop now?”

I was exhausted. I couldn’t wait for this to be over, I already wanted to be back in my bed and forget everything that happened today.

“It does not make any sense. The first tests showed exceptional results. She should have more magic than that. There must be a mistake somehow. Lady Hazel, can you prick yourself again and try to draw more blood? Perhaps-”

“That is enough!” The Duke intervened. “This is more than enough proof that your assessment was incorrect. My daughter is weak and sickly, and her magic reflects that. There is nothing more to add.”

“But your Excellency-”

“Not only have you already put her well-being in jeopardy, but you intend to keep doing so by insisting that she is a Renascenda candidate?”

The old man hesitated for a few seconds before admitting defeat.

“You are right of course. I sincerely apologize.”

 

After the second test confirmed the weakness of my magic, the old man, who I learned was in fact the Head-mage of this Temple, ruled that the first test was faulty. According to him, such exceptional result could only be seen from someone with an extraordinary amount of magic. Given the results I showed during my second test, I was unlikely to be such a powerful mage.

 

---

 

After that whirlwind of emotions, Haron and I were escorted back to the carriage while the Duke stayed with the Head-mage.

As soon as we entered the coach, I slumped on my seat, exhausted.

Haron was still silent. He hasn’t said a word and refused to look at me. I had no idea what his deal was. If he was disappointed that his sister was a weakling, there was nothing I could do about it, not did I have the strength to care.

I decided to start my nap before the Duke came back. Hopefully, if I was fully asleep by the time we departed, I wouldn’t feel the painful bumps and jolts I was subjected to on the way here.

When I closed my eyes, Haron who had been unusually silent up until now lunged toward me and started shaking me.

“You cannot sleep.”

What was wrong with this kid? I was not in the mood, nor did I have the energy. I only wanted to sleep and he was preventing me from falling into Morpheus’ arms.

Although I was exhausted and a little irritated, I made an effort to try and reason with the annoying child.

“Haron, it has been a long day, I’m tired-“

“I know! I am tired too but still, you cannot sleep.”

He interrupted me, still shaking me despite the fact that I was already fully awake.

“Stop shaking me Haron.”

He kept going. It was like he couldn’t hear me. I was started to feel dizzy but he showed no sign of stopping.

I couldn’t bear it anymore, I pushed him. I did not put that much strength in that push but Haron stumble backwards, falling harder than what I intended.

Panicked I knelt, trying to help him back up.

“I’m so sorry Haron, I didn’t mean-”

“YOU CANNOT FALL ASLEEP!” He yelled. “The last time you went to sleep you did not wake up.”

He started crying, his small fists gripping my sleeve tightly as though he feared I would disappear if he let go. I didn’t know what to say or do. I had never been good with crying children; I didn’t know how to calm them. I stayed immobile and silent, afraid of doing something wrong.

“I waited for you, you know.” He continued. “You told me you were fine -hic- you told me you would get better soon. You said that we could play again the next day, but you did not wake up, Haze.”

One of his hand released my sleeve to wipe his tear-marred cheeks, the other was still firmly clenched on my clothing.

“Then Mother said you were gone forever a-and-and I did not want to believe it. B-But you were just lying there, n-not moving. It was my fault- hic- I-I shouldn’t have brought you there. We sh-should have stayed inside. I am so sorry Haze. You might not remember but it is my fault you almost died”

This was heart-breaking.

I thought none of the Vedars mourned Hazel. I assumed I replaced someone who wasn’t loved anyway. But now that her brother was crying for her, blaming himself for her death, I couldn’t help the tears that fell from my eyes.

“It’s okay Haron. It’s not your fault.”

“Yes it is! It is my fault… I killed you…”

He whispered the last sentence.

I took his free hand in mine and put it on my cheek.

“Look at me Haron, I’m alive. I’m fine, I promise.”

He let out a pained sob stroking my cheek slowly and wiping the tears drying on them. We were now both crying.

“Do not leave me again Haze…”

I came closer and wrapped my short arms around him.

“I will not.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

We stayed in that position for I don’t know how long. When the Duke came back, he found us like that. He simply sat down in silence and waited for us to regain our seats before gesturing to the coachman to close the door. Haron firmly kept my hand in his, stubbornly refusing to let go. I did not try to remove it either.

The three of us headed back to the mansion. We had been in that place only for an hour or two but so much had happened that it felt like an eternity.